Bundee Aki makes the Top 5. Three Ireland stars have made it into the Top 20 list for the best players in world rugby for 2023. Bundee Aki ranks highest, and there are two Leinster stars included. Wrapping up their coverage for the year, Planet Rugby compiled their five-part series of ‘The 50 best rugby players […]

2 years ago

“I think we need to step on the gas and say, ‘Yeah, let’s consider all things’.” The most recent World Cup saw an awful lot of box-kicking, rolling mauls, big moments hinging on scrum calls and the never-fun caterpillar rucks. World Rugby is constantly looking at ways to improve the game, though, and there could […]

2 years ago

Just the sole, World Cup-winning Springbok. There are five Irish inclusions in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, with Andy Farrell picking up Coach of the Year. Bundee Aki missed out on the ‘Best Player’ accolade, though. The announcements were made at a glitzy ceremony in Paris, one day on from […]

2 years ago

“Of course it leads to the challenges or the frustrations that we’ve had here.” The head of World Rugby has admitted the organisation did not get it right with the 2023 World Cup seedings and pool stage draw, but he says there was a very clear reason for it. Alan Gilpin, chief executive at World […]

2 years ago

Ireland could finally win a knock-out game, in 2027, and still not make it past the quarter finals… World Rugby has announced that the 2027 World Cup will be expanded from 20 to 24 teams, with a new addition to the knock-out stages. The new-look World Cup will take place in Australia in 2027 and […]

2 years ago

The Six Nations is set to be affected. World Rugby has voted through the creation of a new Nations Cup tournament that will officially launch in 2026, the year after the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. The World Rugby council met on Tuesday morning (October 24) in Paris and voted 41-10 in favour […]

2 years ago